Combat sub mods (or - Messing with the new 2012 offerings)

[pakupakuman]

Hello -

Long time lurker in this forum.

Having seen the Tudor Heritage Black Bay a month or so ago, I liked its looks. It has some "instant vintage" look and feel in my opinion. However, it seems the watch is not to be distributed in North America, and the price is expected to be $3K-ish, which puts it within Submariner ND range...

Reference pic. Not mine; my apologies.



Fast forward to a couple of days ago, and I saw the Glycine Golden Eye. I liked the looks, as it's somewhat similar to the Black Bay theme, and chances are it will be less than $3K (always leave some room for surprise!). However, as opposed to other forumers, I'm not too keen on the PVD coating, as there's always the chance it can scuff away in time (then again, that can happen to the rose gold itself as well, but I'm focused on the black case itself).

So - are there any alternatives? Maybe! If you can get parts from Otto Frei for your Omega, perhaps you can get Glycine parts from some company as well?

Let's assume you can source parts to do a custom Combat. Here's my wish list. Since I'd prefer no PVD, start off with a 2-Tone 3863.34 C6-LB1:




OK, but not liking the white dial or strap. So start with the mods (as Emeril would say, "Let's kick it up a notch").

From left to right:
1. Dial from Golden Eye (3863.399 C6-TB9)
2. Dial from Golden Eye, plus crown from any normal Sub variant (non 2-Tone)
3. Dial and hands from Golden Eye, plus crown from any normal Sub variant (non 2-Tone)
And the nylon strap on all above, of course.





If you want to be even more technical, you could use a non-rose gold bezel and a golden eye bezel insert too.

What if you're on a budget? Then maybe buy a 3863.196 N-D9 sub, and use a bezel insert from the 3863.19AT2 C-LB7, and get this as a result:





Not as elaborate as above, but still likable, IMHO.

So - what say ye?
Thanks for reading!

[pakupakuman]

Sorry, one small detail - either the day dial would have to be source in the pics above, or just imagine it's white as in the 2-Tone.

[Sodiac]

You need to go to work for Glycine as a designer!